Kennedy Sullivan from Morris earned a silver medal in the Sophomore category at the Oklahoma School for the Blind’s regional Braille Challenge competition in Muskogee.

Sullivan is an OSB 5th grader.

Thirty-three Oklahoma students competed for medals and prizes in OSB’s annual academic competition sponsored by Braille Institute of America in the United States and Canada.

Contestants in the apprentice, freshman, and transition categories were tested on spelling, reading comprehension and proofreading.

Sophomore, junior varsity and varsity contestants were scored on charts and graphs, reading comprehension and proofreading. They also listened and transcribed passages into braille.

The basic braille unit is an arrangement of six raised dots, two across and three down, that resembles the number six domino. Each dot or combination of dots represents letters of the print alphabet. Braille dots are designed to be read with the fingertips, but can be written by hand, on computers or portable electronic note takers.

“Braille literacy is essential to future successes and employment,” Faye Miller, Oklahoma School for the Blind’s orientation and mobility specialist, said. “The Oklahoma Braille Challenge motivates contestants to practice their braille skills because they want to win medals and improve their performances from last year.”

Miller has coordinated the annual academic competition hosted by OSB for 22 years.

“Contestants also are building a community with other people who read and write braille as they celebrate their braille skills and make lasting memories,” she said.

OSB graduates, retired OSB teachers, teachers of visually impaired and other braille experts proctored and scored tests. Long-time supporters Sherry Holder and Jeanne Meyer have volunteered every year at OSB’s Braille Challenge for 22 years.

The Braille Institute will invite the top 50 finalists from the U.S. and Canada to compete in the National Braille Challenge in Los Angeles in June. Oklahoma competitors have advanced to the national finals 28 times since 2003.

“We are proud to host the annual Braille Challenge,” OSB Superintendent Rita Echelle said. “This challenging competition gives our OSB students and those attending other schools the chance to demonstrate and improve their braille competency skills.”

Every competitor selected a prize this year and received Braille Challenge t-shirts donated by Frank Dirksen. Students also picked up goodie bags with items purchased with donations.

Braille Challenge contestants will receive brailled certificates and general performance feedback to help improve their skills.

Braille Challenge sponsors are Oklahoma School for the Blind, Braille Institute, Bud Holder and George Isbell memorial donations, Frank Dirksen, Jeri’s House, Inc., Liberty Braille, Nano Pac, NewView Oklahoma and Oklahoma Association for the Education and Rehabilitation of Blind and Visually Impaired.

Sponsors include OSU High Obesity Program, Pre-Employment Transition Services at OU National Center for Disability Education and Training, Ruth Kelly Studios, Transcribing Mariners and Tulsa Downtown Lions Club.

OSB is a division of the Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services. For more information, phone 877-229-7136 toll free or visit http://osb.k12.ok.us/.